The use of metadata by search engines, including meta keywords, has changed extensively throughout the years.
While many of the rules regarding metadata remain the same, it is now an area of lesser importance when it comes to SEO. That said, meta tag optimization is still an important aspect of search engine optimization, so it is important to employ many of these so-called “deprecated” techniques to ensure high SERP rankings
Following these rules pertaining to metadata can help ensure a site’s high ranking in search results. While Google does not use metadata for site rankings, there still are search engines that do. A variety of websites and syndication services also rely on meta data. Furthermore, Google even pulls your site’s description from your meta data for use in the SERPs.
While meta tag optimization is still useful, it’s important to note that there is no reason to stress out over meta data. This article is meant to serve as an informational piece on how meta data is used today as well as noting its much greater historical importance. Feel free to comment, however, on your thoughts and feelings (particularly on the modern usage of meta tags and meta data in SEO.)
What is Meta Data? What are Meta Tags?
Meta data provides information about a site. This information gives search engines clues regarding what a site is about. Since metadata is hidden away in a site’s markup, visitors can’t see it, but search engines can. There are several types of metadata, but we’re going to talk about the three most important parts that make up meta tag optimization: meta keywords, meta descriptions, and the robot tag.
Meta descriptions are actually one of the few things that visitors will see, but they won’t see it on your site. Here is an example:
Bob has a site about sports cars and in his meta description, he has written, “The ultimate guide to European and American sport cars.”
When someone searches in Google with the term “sports cars,” Bob’s site may show up in the results. If it does, the listing will show his meta description. In short, meta descriptions tell people what a site is about before they even visit it.
What Do Meta Keywords Do?
Meta keywords work very similar to meta descriptions, but instead of telling Internet users what a site is about, it tells the search engine. Here is an example:
Lisa’s site is about Georgia peaches. In her meta keywords, she has written, “Georgia peaches, peaches from Georgia, peach orchards” By writing these keywords, Lisa is telling search engines that her site is about Georgia peaches, peaches from Georgia, and peach orchards. Annette searches in a search engine for the term “peaches from Georgia.” Since Lisa’s site has this phrase in its meta keywords, the search engine may show Lisa’s website to Annette in the search listings.
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